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Hi, Mawmaw: Welcome to the Board.
Out-of-whack thyroid hormone levels DO make us emotional. Think back to puberty or pregnancy. And some of the symptoms associated with menopause are also associated with elevated levels of thyroid hormone, so you might find some relief once your hormone levels are well-controlled and normal long enough for your body to heal from the effects of too much thyroid hormone. (It takes time — months, at least — AT normal levels for the body to heal.)
The best thing to do is to talk your concerns over with your doctor and see what is advised. Some of us do take antidepressants for a while — although not all of us do. Those volatile emotions are often volatile all over the place, not just “down.”
But we DO get our health back eventually, so please hold that thought.
Bobbi — NGDF Online FacilitatorI was diagnosed with Graves in January 2006 by a cardiologist. My PCP had sent me for many different tests but they could not find out what was causing me to be so tired, in pain, etc. I had been having problems with dizziness/fatigue for over a year, but no one put the symptoms together. I thought I was losing my mind. I had the PCP send me to a cardiologist when my heart started giving me more trouble. He is the one that diagnosed me. I wound up in the hospital that weekend with a-fib. Needless to say I was out of work for 14 weeks trying to get my heart and thyroid under control. They told me that I had lost most of the muscle in my legs and upper arms. In August, I had a total hysterectomy. The doctor wanted to do RAI in November but I have postponed until January.
I cry alot; I hurt in my legs, arms, fingers, and extreme pain in my shoulder; my mind is getting foggy again; irritable some; the anxiety and panic attacks are increasing but I can generally talk myself out of them. I’m in full blown menopause, and my endo says I am swinging towards hypo. I see my PCP on Friday and I’m not sure what to ask for. I don’t think I’m depressed and don’t want to take medicine for depression again. But, it is hard to work. I am taking Black Cohosh for menopause. I am taking Toprol and Methiamazole. My heart feels like it is acting up again. My blood pressure is back up but still at an acceptable range. I know I am paranoid (seems to go with having GD) but my mother and grandmother died from heart disease/failure at a fairly young age. They both had thyroid problems.
I’m not sure if my symptoms are thyroid or menopause. I don’t want to be overtreated, but I don’t want to be undertreated ever again. I’m not sure anyone every really listened.
On a positive note, even though I am losing hair by the handfulls, it is still growing back. It’s grey ( I don’t want to use chemicals on it while it is so fragile) and that’s okay. I had always been very thin until all this started and I am happy for the 20 pounds that I have gained. (Part of that weight gain is from stopping smoking – which is another positive). Also, and this may seem odd, but my family and close friends no longer treat me like a hypochondriac. They know there is really something wrong with me. It’s very hard on family/friends to understand when your mood can swing so quickly back and forth. It’s hard for them to understand how a very energetic person can become so “lazy” for no apparent reason. And as far as coworkers – I am thankful they are still speaking to me. I’m actually very lucky to still have a job. My behavior became very erratic. We need to remember to say “thank you” to those that have stood by us AND that it isn’t over yet!
Sorry about rambling on and on, but I am new to the site and have read many of the postings. I feel connected because we have so many things in common. If anyone has any wise words, I would appreciate them.
Thanks
Please don’t postpone doing RAI. The sooner you get your thyroid under control, the sooner a lot of these problems will go away! Joy in SoGA
Joy,
I already postponed. What with the holidays and year-end deadlines at work, I just don’t want to drop deep into hypo now. Also, from reading the bulletins I gathered that anything you touch or wear needs to be double washed. I make a lot of things for Christmas for my family and I need those extra 3-5 days for sewing. I’m running late this year due to not feeling well. I also want my PCP to evaluate my heart again. Something is just not right. My endo said it was fine to wait until January. If she does it in December I’ll have to miss Christmas with my family.
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